Diana Warwick, NHF chair, said: “Our challenge was to find someone who has the confidence and experience to engage at the highest levels in government, as well as the leadership credentials to win the trust of our diverse membership, inspire our team, and ensure the federation is commercially successful and sustainable, now and in the future.

“We feel we have selected in Kate someone who can do all these things and more. She has proven herself to be a bold and effective leader at the TCPA. She gave us particular confidence in terms of her ability to build trust and rapport with our broad range of stakeholders.

“We are excited about the fact that she will bring fresh eyes to the role, has strong and relevant networks, and is knowledgeable and passionate about what we do.”

Ms Henderson, a visiting professor at the Bartlett School of Planning at University College since 2014, has participated in a number of government panels and independent commissions including the Lyons Housing Review and the Raynsford Review of Planning.

Ms Henderson said: “I am delighted to have been appointed chief executive of the National Housing Federation and am immensely looking forward to working with the team, board, members and stakeholders.

“With housing at the top of the political and public agenda I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with ambitious housing associations across the country to continue the federation’s impressive track record of shaping housing policy and ensuring housing associations are seen as key partners in delivering it.”

Ms Henderson has also written two books on planning: Rebuilding Britain: Planning for a Better Future, and The Art of Building a Garden City: Building New Communities for the 21st Century.

Planning officers will have to self-organise and push for a place at the top table of their councils if they are to “get their voice back” in local government, according to the chief executive of the Town & Country Planning Association.

In Politics

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